Would you leave the UK if you could?
Discussion
I moved to NZ from London nearly 10 years ago at 34. I love it but understand that its not for everyone.
For the first time in my life I put someone before me and thought my kid (now kids) would have a better childhood here than in London. Also, the chances of my wife putting up with my lifestyle in London would have been pretty slim.
Lots of Kiwi's are moving to Oz, it doesnt appeal hugely to me but I've only been a few times for short stays.
About the only other place I seriously thought of moving from London to was San Diego, CA. I cant really pinpoint why I just loved the place, prefer NZ though.
For the first time in my life I put someone before me and thought my kid (now kids) would have a better childhood here than in London. Also, the chances of my wife putting up with my lifestyle in London would have been pretty slim.
Lots of Kiwi's are moving to Oz, it doesnt appeal hugely to me but I've only been a few times for short stays.
About the only other place I seriously thought of moving from London to was San Diego, CA. I cant really pinpoint why I just loved the place, prefer NZ though.
Here is what a very perceptive person said in the last thread about this.
Colonial said:
Your life is what you make it, wherever you make it. If you are fundamentally dissatisfied with your life you will not be happy with changing countries. You will still be miserable. And you will find plenty to whinge about. If you are generally happy with your life and fancy a bit of a change you’ll like it. But it’s not the UK. So don’t expect it to be identical but with more sun. You will just become another sad pom moping around complaining about how things are better back home.
Colonial said:
Here is what a very perceptive person said in the last thread about this.
May be true for some, but certainly not true for most. I, for one, am very happy with my life. Colonial said:
Your life is what you make it, wherever you make it. If you are fundamentally dissatisfied with your life you will not be happy with changing countries. You will still be miserable. And you will find plenty to whinge about. If you are generally happy with your life and fancy a bit of a change you’ll like it. But it’s not the UK. So don’t expect it to be identical but with more sun. You will just become another sad pom moping around complaining about how things are better back home.
Blue Meanie said:
Colonial said:
Here is what a very perceptive person said in the last thread about this.
May be true for some, but certainly not true for most. I, for one, am very happy with my life. Colonial said:
Your life is what you make it, wherever you make it. If you are fundamentally dissatisfied with your life you will not be happy with changing countries. You will still be miserable. And you will find plenty to whinge about. If you are generally happy with your life and fancy a bit of a change you’ll like it. But it’s not the UK. So don’t expect it to be identical but with more sun. You will just become another sad pom moping around complaining about how things are better back home.
I believe I also replied to the last thread on the topic, saying how I expect business to take me from pillar to post and that being based outside the UK in any capacity would be a very viable and tempting proposition.
I've also just had an offer of a full time phd studentship in downtown Vancouver (am here now, coming back to the UK in a couple of weeks). I'd only get $20k a year from the phd, but reckon I could make up the rest in some consultancy (if not, bar work). I am VERY tempted!!
I've also just had an offer of a full time phd studentship in downtown Vancouver (am here now, coming back to the UK in a couple of weeks). I'd only get $20k a year from the phd, but reckon I could make up the rest in some consultancy (if not, bar work). I am VERY tempted!!
I am another one who jumped. Currently teach teenagers English in a school in South Korea. I've always been one for trying new experiences and countries and have now decided that I'll spend at least a few years seeing a lot more of the world by living in different cultures/climates/countries.
I was by no means in the 'hate the UK' camp. I enjoyed being near my family, had good mates, enjoyed having a nice car and being able to visit some very interesting places within a couple of hours drive (London, various race circuits, North Yorkshire.) I just decided that having seen some of the world from a backpacker perspective I now want to get a lot deeper into new places by actually living there.
I love my life here but of course there are positives and negatives as with anywhere. I'll certainly be moving on again maybe when my contract ends or maybe after I've renewed it and that contract ends. It won't be back to the UK though. I have nothing against living in the UK, but there is so much more out there to see!
I was by no means in the 'hate the UK' camp. I enjoyed being near my family, had good mates, enjoyed having a nice car and being able to visit some very interesting places within a couple of hours drive (London, various race circuits, North Yorkshire.) I just decided that having seen some of the world from a backpacker perspective I now want to get a lot deeper into new places by actually living there.
I love my life here but of course there are positives and negatives as with anywhere. I'll certainly be moving on again maybe when my contract ends or maybe after I've renewed it and that contract ends. It won't be back to the UK though. I have nothing against living in the UK, but there is so much more out there to see!
I did it and now live in Bangkok. It wasn't my first option but have kind of worked my way to here after working in Kazakhstan for 6 months, the offer of Asia came up and I took it working in Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia and then Thailand, where I've now been living for almost 3years.
Do I miss the UK?
Not really, I miss family/friends sometimes but the world is a very small place with modern technology. I pay for a number on Skype that's a London number so it#s cheap for people to call me, and I also have a monthly package on there that costs 10Euro a month that lets me call 40 different countries for as long as I want to.
I miss certain foods, but not too much as everything is available here except Jaffa Cakes. PG tips I buy when I'm in the UK.
I'm in a brand new appartment which cost me including bills 400quid a month, which lets me open my french doors, walk two metres across my patio and into the pool.
I have an office that I can go to if needed but I'm trusted to work at home most of the time, as my job requires me to only really need a laptop to function.
All this and Im only 29. I can't see myself ever living back in the UK anytime soon, but will never say never. Like others have said do it for the right reasons, and always make sure there's enough left in the pot if you want to go home.
Do I miss the UK?
Not really, I miss family/friends sometimes but the world is a very small place with modern technology. I pay for a number on Skype that's a London number so it#s cheap for people to call me, and I also have a monthly package on there that costs 10Euro a month that lets me call 40 different countries for as long as I want to.
I miss certain foods, but not too much as everything is available here except Jaffa Cakes. PG tips I buy when I'm in the UK.
I'm in a brand new appartment which cost me including bills 400quid a month, which lets me open my french doors, walk two metres across my patio and into the pool.
I have an office that I can go to if needed but I'm trusted to work at home most of the time, as my job requires me to only really need a laptop to function.
All this and Im only 29. I can't see myself ever living back in the UK anytime soon, but will never say never. Like others have said do it for the right reasons, and always make sure there's enough left in the pot if you want to go home.
V15Ben; Good on you mate, thats just the attitude I would like to think I have. Maybe not as committed as you yet (need to sell up and quit the day job) but am getting there.
Oh, and South Korean chicks can be a bit tasty can't they?!? I know a korean lass out here called Ooh-ah (no idea how to spell it!) and she rearry hot!
Oh, and South Korean chicks can be a bit tasty can't they?!? I know a korean lass out here called Ooh-ah (no idea how to spell it!) and she rearry hot!
MrSpike said:
I pay for a number on Skype that's a London number so it#s cheap for people to call me, and I also have a monthly package on there that costs 10Euro a month that lets me call 40 different countries for as long as I want to.
How does this work exactly? The UK number idea sounds like a good one for people to call me though the amount of time I'm in my apartment is pretty limited for them to ever have chance to get through! The calls package is good too. Do you have any more details?
I never had the luxury of Skype when I lived overseas in Sydney back in 2005. It makes keeping in touch with friends all over the shop so much easier and thankfully the time difference between here and home in the UK isn't too bad Why does it have to be permanent?
I'm living in Japan for this year and into next year, last year I was in Australia, and before that all around south east asia. If you can find a job then there is only family stopping you really. And for me Skype makes that not such a big deal, as I speak to them and see them weekly, which is more than some people do living in the same country with their family.
Must admit I'm longing for some beans on toast though.
I'm living in Japan for this year and into next year, last year I was in Australia, and before that all around south east asia. If you can find a job then there is only family stopping you really. And for me Skype makes that not such a big deal, as I speak to them and see them weekly, which is more than some people do living in the same country with their family.
Must admit I'm longing for some beans on toast though.
Sounds like you have the same idea as me Rob, some travelling, some periods living in different countries and generally enjoying a change.
I found 'proper' baked beans at the local supermarket and got all excited until I couldn't find any proper bread! I did find a local restaurant that does steak pie and genuine sandwiches/burgers though
I found 'proper' baked beans at the local supermarket and got all excited until I couldn't find any proper bread! I did find a local restaurant that does steak pie and genuine sandwiches/burgers though
v15ben said:
MrSpike said:
I pay for a number on Skype that's a London number so it#s cheap for people to call me, and I also have a monthly package on there that costs 10Euro a month that lets me call 40 different countries for as long as I want to.
How does this work exactly? The UK number idea sounds like a good one for people to call me though the amount of time I'm in my apartment is pretty limited for them to ever have chance to get through! The calls package is good too. Do you have any more details?Plus you can pay extra to have a number from any country you want, I have a London number
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